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From politics to cinema: Austria’s ex-chancellor returns to limelight

Austria's former chancellor Sebastian Kurz - who is to stand trial for allegedly giving false testimony - recently grabbed the limelight again, with several movies about him released all at once.

Published: 16 October 2023 09:33 CEST
A huge poster in Vienna advertising a film called
A huge poster in Vienna advertising a film called "Kurz - The Film" about the former Chancellor of Austria Sebastian Kurz. Photo by Alex HALADA / AFP

The release of the films – including two fawning biopics – has reignited the debate about his potential return to politics, after he resigned as chancellor in 2021 amid wide-ranging corruption allegations.

Kurz, 37, has repeatedly denied such rumours while jetting around the world as an international strategy consultant, posting photos with Israeli leader
Benjamin Netanyahu and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban on social media.

“He is like a Hollywood-esque operetta character, with a powerful myth surrounding him,” political analyst Thomas Hofer told AFP.

‘Influencing the narrative’

The long-awaited critical documentary “Projekt Ballhausplatz” premiered in mid-September, illustrating the meteoric rise and fall of Kurz.

The title refers to Kurz’s plans to take power, culminating in him becoming chancellor in 2017 at the age of 31.

The flattering biopic “Kurz – The Movie” was also released around the same time, with movie posters showing the former-leader in a dark suit illuminated by golden light.

The producers were quick to rebuff several accusations surrounding the film, saying that tickets were bought in bulk as a “precautionary measure” due to planned PR events rather than to skew the film’s success.

READ ALSO: Austrian ex-chancellor Sebastian Kurz to go on trial for false testimony

Interviewees also claimed they had been tricked into participating in the film under false pretences.

A third film called “Kurz – The Truth” by controversial director Jakov Sedlar followed, with a saintly depiction of the ex-chancellor.

While Kurz declined an interview request from the director of the critical “Ballhausplatz” documentary, blasting the film as not “objective”, he gave interviews for the two favourable films.

Kurz has a habit of “only making himself available for books or films which are in his favour, to influence the narrative,” analyst Hofer said.

The films have certainly led to ample local media coverage, including speculations of a Kurz comeback.

“In three to five years, after being cleared of all legal accusations, he could very well plan his return,” Hofer said.

Analyst Peter Filzmaier told AFP that Kurz “succeeded in presenting himself as different from established – usually significantly older – politicians and parties”.

“There is hardly any lasting legacy of his politics, because he barely had a vision of how to shape Austrian society. He was more concerned with power,” Filzmaier said.

By Kiyoko METZLER

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POLITICS

Why does Austria rank so badly for press freedom?

Between political scandals and a decreasing media market, Austria has consistently ranked low in analyses of worldwide press freedom, but it has reached its lowest point this year.

Published: 3 May 2024 12:41 CEST
Why does Austria rank so badly for press freedom?

When we think about countries where there are issues with press freedom, it’s usually the places that are war zones or dictatorships that come to mind. So the fact that Austria ranks only 32nd in the latest Reporters Without Borders (RSF) press freedom index may seem surprising to many people.

This is the country’s worst result to date, as it slipped from the 29th position it held last year. In 2024, Austria ranks in the middle of the countries classified as “satisfactory,” behind Moldova and ahead of Mauritania. Only eight countries are rated as having a “good” situation. The 22nd edition of the Press Freedom Index covers 180 countries worldwide.

According to Fritz Hausjell, President of RSF Austria, there are many reasons why Austria has fallen behind. The judiciary is investigating “highly problematic close relationships and suspected corrupt practices between the governing party ÖVP and several major media outlets”, he said, according to an ORF report. In addition, the judiciary is investigating the far-right FPÖ’s role in possible advertising corruption.

“In Austria, press freedom has been undermined by various political pressures or restrictions on access to information. Violence at public events prevented journalists from reporting freely”, RSF said.

READ ALSO: How Austria has tightened laws to prevent political corruption

Small market and political influences

“With just a dozen major outlets, the media market is small and very concentrated”, according to the RSF report. Additionally, tabloids have the largest readership, and there have been many attempts to influence both state and privately-owned media, with RSF calling the practice “constant”.

“Some politicians are suspected of having used public funds to buy favourable coverage in the tabloid media, while others have tried to intervene by directly going to editorial offices, such as former Chancellor Sebastian Kurz. He was forced to resign in 2021 due to suspicions of buying positive coverage in a privately owned newspaper. Journalists are sometimes the targets of political attacks coming from the extremes”, the report stated.

There have been significant scandals after corruption allegations between politicians and the media.

Most recently, prosecutors said an investigation into several former government members for alleged bribery, corruption, and breach of trust was opened in mid-April. Herbert Kickl, the hardline leader of Austria’s right-wing Freedom Party (FPOe)—currently leading polls ahead of elections expected in September—is suspected of commissioning adverts and paying for them with public money.

READ ALSO: The Kurz corruption scandal exposes Austria’s press freedom problems

In late 2021, a major media graft scandal erupted in the Alpine country. Austria’s former Chancellor Sebastian Kurz and his inner circle were accused of using public funds to pay for polls skewed to boost his image on Austrian tabloid media. It eventually led to Kurz’s resignation and exit from politics.

Of course, one of the country’s most infamous political scandals, the so-called Ibizagate that blew up in 2019, also shows Austrian leaders’ and major media’s murky underground connections. At the time, a leaked video showed then FPÖ leader and vice-chancellor Heinz-Christian Strache in a 2017 meeting on the Spanish resort island of Ibiza with a woman posing as the niece of a Russian oligarch.

Among the many controversial statements, Strache was filmed discussing the possibility of the woman buying Austria’s most-read tabloid, Kronen Zeitung, and making its editorial line more pro-FPOe.

READ MORE: ‘Ibizagate’ – What you need to know about the Austrian political corruption scandal

But it’s not just the tabloid media that has shrouded connections to those in power. In 2022, two prominent Austrian journalists, editors of reputed media such as Die Presse and ORF, had to resign over leaked chats between them and politicians. The chats showed discussions over appointments with the public broadcaster ORF and friendly notes with “inappropriate closeness” between them and political leaders.

Outdated legal framework and harassment

Although various bills are being discussed, Austria is the last EU member state without a freedom of information law. Journalists are, moreover, concerned about certain political parties’ attempts to restrict their access to judicial information. 

Journalists are also harassed by various interest groups and societal movements. They are liable to censor themselves as a result of online attacks based on their gender, social class, ethnicity or religion. 

After the COVID-19 pandemic, the war between Russia and Ukraine has become an issue that is polarising Austrian society and encouraging people to question journalism, the report highlighted.

READ ALSO: ‘Reforms needed urgently’ – Is Austria becoming more corrupt?

Additionally, reporters’ coverage of protests is facing significant obstruction by police, who use frequent identity checks to harass them and threaten legal action. Women journalists are particularly at risk. Newsrooms often receive threatening letters and messages, according to the report.

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